Is their a better bagger to fit a 42" craftsman mower than the 24989 they recommend? And what other manufacturers make bagger to fit.

Sears goes out of their way to not accept universal attachments, they make a ton selling their extra stuff to you. I have looked in the past and nobody makes things fit for Sears but Sears. What is it that you did not like about their unit, the price?

Better in what way? And ball... is correct, sears wants you to purchase their stock, not a competitors, so you probably will have to go with the sears unit, or none at all.